Tirupati: The Government of Andhra Pradesh plans to calls for tenders for aerostat technology to monitor movement in the fringes of Seshachalam forest, to control smuggling in the area. The Forest Department and the police have checked the feasibility of the project.
A team consisting of officials from the Police and Forest Departments visited Israel for about a week in April this year to study aerostat technology in depth. A detailed report was presented to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Later, in the month of June, the CEO of RT Aero Stat Systems met with Mr Naidu and made a presentation on the use of the technology.
The government wishes to launch a pilot project with 5 to 6 aerostats. Mr Naidu is extremely keen on incorporating the use of technology in various government departments.
Electro-optical devices will be fixed to helium balloons and used to monitor the area. The high-resolution cameras will each be able to cover a radius of 5 to 20 km, and they will be equipped with night vision. The balloons may cost over '1 crore each. They can be recovered and shifted to new locations within 20 minutes.
The devices will be used by the Police Department and the Forest Department. Data will be transmitted to a Ground Control Station through a fibre cable. A training session will be conducted for the department staff, for operational assistance.
This project will minimise the physical effort that is currently invested by the departments in scouting the area. It will ensure that the forest is monitored throughout the day.
The Bengaluru Police Department is already using this technology, with smaller balloons, for traffic management and crime detection.
The AP Government’s plans involve the use of massive, more advanced machines.
It is believed that this technology is currently used for security and surveillance operations in 14 countries. The United States defence forces use it to monitor activity in Afghanistan, and Israel uses it at its international borders.
A senior official from the Police Department said “Top-most officials from the Police and Forest Departments are eager to work with it. We can expect at least 2-3 aerostats to be in use by the end of this year. The aerostats are expensive, and the government is willing to call for global tenders for them so that we can get the machines for a lower price.”
B.N.N Murthy, the Deputy Conservator of Forests, said, “It is undoubtedly the best step. We have checked the feasibility in the Seshachalam fringe and the reports are positive. It will supplement our efforts to control smuggling. Top countries are using this technology. There are some dealers in India for small aerostats, but we cannot use them in forests.”
